Hello! I have been watching this site for weeks and I have become obsessed with watching everyone's journey and it has really helped me and so I am doing this in hopes to be helping others on their journey. So a little about me.... I am a 30 year old mother of 3 amazing girls (10,7,3) and a wife to an amazing man. I have a very successful business with It Works Global. After I had my 3rd child I was the biggest I had ever been coming in at 190 pounds. I found It Works last year and it truely has changed my life. In January I started adding fitness and clean eating to my life and have lost 40 pounds. I'm 5'5" and weigh 150 now. I have completed Insanity, Chalean Extreme, and Body Beast this year. I was losing weight but my stomach still has this skin that will not go anywhere. Soooo, I decided to look into the whole tummy tuck deal and found this site and knew this is what I needed. So I did my research and feel I got the best surgeon. Went to my consultation just to see what he would tell me. I knew something was going on because the wraps I sell work but my tummy wasn't going anywhere. My surgeon said that my abdomen muscles were very separated from pregnancies. That's something my wraps can't fix. So now I have decided to go with Tummy Tuck/Lipo in the flanks and under the arms and sides. I am so excited about having this procedure done! I have to wait till January 24th to have it done because I'm going to the NFR in Vegas in December, Florida in the middle of January, birthday is January 20th, having surgery on the 24th. I wasn't gonna post this early but I decidedyto go ahead and start my journey!!! I have only told a few selected people about this surgery because I don't want the judgements. My husband is very supportive and my dad is my biggest supporter. He will be taking a week vacation to help me the first week after sugery. I won't tell my husband's family till right before surgery so I don't have to hear any crap! LOL! My surgeon and his staff is AMAZING!!! They answer all my questions and they make me feel like they care. When I went into my consult, I wasn't rushed, my Dr answered all my question with detail, I even joked and said I want a six pack when I come out lol, he said he would do his best to have me bikini ready! Ha! Anyways, I will have a drainless tuck so I am relieved about that. I had a breast reduction when I was 15 bit I was young then and recovery was a breeze. My dad bought me a walker and his recliners are SUPER comfortable so that is set! A nurse will come to my dad's and stay with me the first night which is really awesome! I love my surgeon and his staff so I am so excited and cannot wait to join the flat side!!! Sorry so long lol. I will post before pics soon!! Thank you all for sharing your journeys and I hope mine will help someone in the same way! Updated on 29 Oct 2013: But who is really counting??? LOL! I got a countdown timer on my phone (silly I know)but it still seems soooo far away! I have worked so hard this year to lose weight and then when I saw that my tummy was not going anywhere I wanted to get this done RIGHT THEN! But because of my trips I've got planned, I have to wait. But I scheduled it 4 days after my last trip and that's only because my PS only does surgerys on Fridays. Anyways, happy healing to those of you who have already joined the flat side and happy waiting for this of you like me who are still waiting! Updated on 29 Oct 2013: I forgot to tell you that the nurse that will be coming to my dad's to stay with me the first night after surgery called me yesterday. She just wanted to see if I had any questions and that she would be checking up on me just to make sure I didn't have any questions. I LOVE that! I see that everyone on this site talks about Arnica and Bromelain so I asked her about that and she said I wouldn't need any of that till my stitches were out of my BB. I want to get well prepared before surgery and I've got a list of just about everything. If ya'll use something that isn't seen on here often, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!! :) Updated on 29 Oct 2013: Here are my befores. Weighed 148 this morning! Updated on 29 Oct 2013: More before UGH pics! Can't wait to post amazing flat side pics!!! Updated on 31 Oct 2013: OMGsh...... Why did I have to plan all these trips?? Lol! I booked my surgery for January 24th because of some trips I planned. My husband and I go to Vegas every year in December for the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) for our anniversary. My dad went with us last year and he'll be going with us this year as well. I love it and we always have a BLAST! We'll be there from December 6th-13th this year. Then we have Christmas and then we go to Florida January 15th-19th for a Freedom Conference for my business. Birthday is on the 20th. Surgery on the 24th. I want to have it NOW! I got approved thru Care Credit and I am more ready than ever! Oh well I am sure it will be here before I know it and still trying to plan and get prepared! If someone has a link or a list of everything I will need, I would greatly appreciate it! Anyways, I am just rambling so I will get back at ya soon!!!! Happy healing friends! Updated on 12 Nov 2013: Still have a few months to go and I'm trying to lose a lil more weight. I haven't been doing well as far as eating right or working out like I normally do. But today I have decided to get back with it! Gonna start walking 45 minutes everyday on the treadmill. It's gettin too cold to go outside and walk (I despise cold weather lol). So anyways, I can't wait to do this surgery and be on the flat side!! What do you all do to lose the last lil bit of weight before surgery?? Updated on 20 Nov 2013: I have a little over 9 weeks before surgery day..... I've been having a lil bit of buyers remorse lately and wondering if it would really be worth it. Having the 'what ifs' going through my mind.... What if it doesn't go well? What if I look worse after surgery than I do now? What if it comes in between my marriage somehow? Ahhhhh! I know that this too shall pass and I want it more than anything and I'm sure the chances of it not looking the way I want it to is very slim! Updated on 29 Nov 2013: So I called today to see if I could get my surgery moved closer and my ps is booked till February :(. I won't be going to Florida after all so I want to do the surgery as soon as I can after I return from Vegas. They've got me down if someone cancels. They have me down as a 5 hour surgery so it's hard to get a 5 hour slot open. So fingers crossed they call me sooner!!!!!!! Anywho, I leave next Thursday for Vegas and I am super excited about that! Still pretty obsessed with this site everyday and now hoping for a sooner sugery! Updated on 22 Dec 2013: Hey ya'll!!!! The real count down is now beginning! I had a great time in Vegas and I actually canceled my trip to Florida. I tried to reschedule my surgery for sooner but they had no dates. But I am getting really excited and really nervous. Can't believe it's only a month away. Time to start buying what I need. Can ya'll tell me what I will really need please?? I don't want to buy a bunch of stuff that isn't necessary!! What's the BEST for swelling and bloating. I want to avoid that the most. Anyways, I'm still reading up on all of you daily and will be posting more on mine now that the time is getting closer!! Updated on 28 Dec 2013: The real count down has begun.... Talked to ps office and I'm going in on the 8th to pay in full and finish all paperwork! Getting super excited but also getting really REALLY nervous! Hoping to not back out before the 8th. Anyways, I hope all you lovely ladies had an amazing Christmas and I hope you an even better New Year! Updated on 30 Dec 2013: So today I was looking at some before and afters of Lipo on the flanks. There were some that had a huge difference in results and some, not so much. So with my surgery being around the corner and paying so much for this surgery, I started getting nervous and more questions starting rolling. So I called my surgeons office and talked to his coordinator. She said to come in tomorrow and they will show me some pics and answer anymore questions I had and I could also go ahead and pay too. So I'm super excited to go in and actually see some work that my doc has done! I know I've got the best of the best and I shouldn't second guess what he does. But I am paying a lot for this so I want it done with my expectations! I've gotsome wish pics to show him as well and I chose befores that looked like mine so hopefully we will come close!! Anything is better than what I've got now!!! Anyways, I will touch base with ya'll tomorrow after my appt!!!! Muah! Updated on 1 Jan 2014: Okay so I went in to see my surgeon yesterday and I feel so much better! I absolutely love my decision with Dr Geter!! He answered all my questions and showed me exactly what he is gonna be doing. He also told me that right after surgery my incision will look like a W and will straighten out as I heal. He's doing Lipo on my flanks, my arm pits and below that and also the bra fat in front. He's gonna do muscle tightening and some other kind of waist narrowing too. He said to bring in bikini bottoms to mark so I've been looking for some online. So my surgery is 3 weeks from Friday so I am gonna do a 21 day challenge where I basically eat protein, fruit, veggies, and water and THAT'S IT! Anyways, I wanted to touch base with ya'll!!! Hope you all are healing well and talk to you soon!!!! Updated on 3 Jan 2014: OMGsh!! It's only 3 weeks away and I am getting so excited! I start a new job today with a tanning salon so that's gonna help with the time passing faster! I went yesterday and bought a new jacket and some awesome socks for the day of surgery. I also got some mink oil when I was in Vegas from a vendor at the Cowboy Christmas. She said to start putting it on my scar as soon as the bandages come off and my scar will hardly be noticeable if any scar at all. So I'm really excited to try that! Ive got my walker and toilet riser. All I need now is pillows and lots of them. Can't wait to be on the flat side! Updated on 10 Jan 2014: Exactly 2 weeks from right now I will be in surgery!! I am so excited but the nerves are setting in. I called yesterday and paid in full! So it's surreal now. Anyways, my hubby is taking me out tonight for my favorite meal because I can't have garlic for 2 weeks. Its my early birthday dinner because my birthday is the Monday before surgery. Anyways, I hope you all have an absolutely fantastic weekend! Updated on 14 Jan 2014: Well my turn to be on "the flat side" is getting closer and I'm starting to get scarred. I'm leaving all my faith in the hands of God that everything is going to be okay! I have so much support and love going into this. From now till my surgery, I'm eating basically chicken and veggies (stir fry) and then the day before will be protein shakes only. My surgeon is absolutely amazing. He proscribed me ambion for the night before so I can sleep. My birthday is Monday so this is my birthday present for myself. Hehe!! I haven't been getting many comments or replies on this journey so I hope that this is helping at least one person!! So glad I started a new job at a tanning salon or else I think I would be driving myself crazy. It makes the day's go by so much faster. I've decided to go to school for Dental Hygiene as soon as I'm healed. Anyways, I hope you all are doing well!!! Updated on 17 Jan 2014: 1 week from RIGHT NOW I will be in surgery!!! Super excited but the nerves are setting in. Getting everything I need like granny panties, cough drops, fruit, I'm sure my nurse will have everything I need when she comes over that night as far as medical supplies!!! My husband asked me yesterday if I still was gonna love him after I got this done and I was lookin all hot! Lol!! I think this is all starting to set in with him as well. We are so excited but very nervous! Updated on 23 Jan 2014: Well tomorrow is the big day and I couldn't be more excited. Yesterday was hard for me as far as nerves go but today is okay. I'm just drinking protein shakes today and a ton of water. I have a meeting tonight so I might have some light soup. Today I'm just keeping myself busy with cleaning the house and getting all the laundry done so my hubby don't have to worry about it. My surgeon and nurse is absolutely outstanding! My nurse gave me her cell # in case I needed anything. I called her this morning to see what kind of bra I needed and they are providing that too. So anyways, I am super excited and can't believe it's here. The next time I post, I will be on the flat side!! I know there are a few more having their surgery tomorrow as well so I wanna wish you all the best!!!! Updated on 25 Jan 2014: Well I finally made to the flat side and to say the least, it is a lot more painful that I thought it would be. They removed 4 1/2 pounds off my midsection. I can already tell a huge difference and I haven't even taken the garmet off yet. Anyways, will post more pics tomorrow. Updated on 27 Jan 2014: Hey ya'll!! I think I am 3 days after surgery and doing a lil better with each day. My nurse that came home with me said the second day woul be my roughest and OMGsh she was right. The swelling is unbelievable and wish it would go away. Changed my bandages yesterday and the swelling doesn't make my tummy look pretty at all. It has went down quite a bit today. I'm gonna try to shower so I will take more pics. Going back to sleep for now. Happy healing!!! Updated on 28 Jan 2014: Man, what difference a shower will make. I didnt take any pics. I was so nervous about taking a shower by myself that I had for all about it. Will definitely take some tomorrow. I am actually really comfortable right now and looking forward to a full nights sleep! The swelling is still pretty crazy and I did manage to go to the bathroom a lil. I was hurting so bad today from the pressure and swelling that I was taking everything from supositories to mom to laxatives.... Nothing was working. But I took a shower and that somehow knocked some loose. Lol. All I have been eating since surgery has been applesauce,pudding, chchicken noodle soup, sprite, and water. That's it. I am just not hungry at all. Anyways, I'm feeling good right now and hoping to see for the most part of what I'll look like soon!! Good night and happy healing!! Updated on 29 Jan 2014: Okay, today I am ready to be normal again. I'm ready to get back to walking straight. I'm feeling trapped and worthless. How long is it before your walking straight and things start to feel normal again??? Updated on 29 Jan 2014: Here are some more pics I took tonight. Swelling is terrible but I think it will be awesome once that goes down. Standing up a lil straighter. Only taking pain meds at night to sleep, Tylenol and Ibuprofen during the day. Did have a bm so that was good. Feeling a lot better tonight than earlier today. I'm gonna try to go to my daughter's basketball game tomorrow night so we shall see how that goes!! Updated on 31 Jan 2014: So today marks 1 week since my surgery and today is the first day that I am starting to like what I see. I was so worried because of the swelling but it's slowly going down!!! Came home tonight from my dad's and it was really hectic. Kinda stressed me out a lil. My dad was so good to me this week and he will never know how much I appreciate him. My in laws now are helping me and I am truly blessed. Updated on 6 Feb 2014: Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my surgery. The first week of recovery was nice because I was at my dad's and it was so nice to have so much support. It was peaceful and no complaining. I came home last Friday and it's been hell ever since. My husband thinks I should be back to my old self by now and shouldn't be hurting like I do. I'm constantly crying because of his attitude and his remarks. My youngest (3 years old) has been sick and it's been so hard not being able to hold her and take care of her. So she has spent most of her time at my mother n laws. This has been a lot harder than I ever thought. Not having full support from your spouse, kids being sick, having all house chores to do and laundry to do, I can't even enjoy this process. As far as me goes, each day is getting better but I have some days that are harder than others. My scar is already paper thin and looking good. My bb is small and cute. I will post some mote pics soon!!! Vent over. :) Updated on 8 Feb 2014: Starting to really like what I see.... Still very swollen and still very tight but feeling better each day. Updated on 12 Mar 2014: This Friday will be 7 weeks since my surgery and I am very happy with my results so far!! I have been released to go back to working out bit gonna wait till I get back from vacation on the 24th!! As of today, I took my spanx off and it feels so weird to not be wearing anything under my shirt. That hasn't happened in years. Going to Louisiana this Saturday for a week and then doing T25 when I get home!! Kinda nervous but so excited at the same time!!!
